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Thursday, May 02, 2013

The Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family
Violence-GCASAFV is planning its “2013 Youth and Family Fun Day”. This event is being
held in collaboration with the Governor’s Office, the Department of Public
Health and Social Services Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Program,
the Office of Minority Health Resource Center, Community Services and Resources
Incorporated, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guam, the Guam Police Department and
Payless Market Incorporated.

This is an opportunity to continue promoting the message of
“Healthy Relationships: "Think Smart. Be Smart. YOUth Smart”. The Youth and Family Fun Day will provide
cultural, sports/physical and education/community fair activities that support
the message of healthy relationships for our youth, focusing on middle school
ages. GCASAFV and its partners believe nurturing
and promoting positive youth behavior will be a successful prevention strategy.

Monday, April 15, 2013

This April, join the conversation. Start talking about healthy childhood development to prevent child sexual abuse.

The upcoming SAAM campaign provides tools and information on healthy childhood sexual development that adults can use. By learning about the characteristics of healthy sexuality, adults can better identify risks, support healthy boundaries and challenge negative messages. These tools support parents, community members and organizations as they work to prevent child sexual abuse.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Be Part of NO MORE Day

A National Day of Awareness for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

MARCH 13, 2013

We’re pleased and excited to announce that March 13 is NO MORE Day, the public launch of the country’s first unifying awareness symbol for domestic violence and sexual assault. Join us to launch NO MORE and participate in one of the most concerted and collaborative efforts to raise awareness for these issues.

WHAT IS NO MORE?

NO MORE is a groundbreaking symbol (like the pink breast cancer ribbon and the red AIDS ribbon) designed to galvanize change and radically increase the awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault in our communities.

WHAT IS NO MORE DAY?

On March 13, NO MORE Day, thousands of advocates and supporters across the country will unite to officially launch NO MORE.

WHY NO MORE?

Domestic violence and sexual assault are not easy to talk about, although they impact millions of men, women and children every year. Because of the stigma and shame, these issues often remain hidden in our society. NO MORE seeks to bring domestic violence and sexual assault into the national spotlight to generate more attention, more resources and more action to prevent them. NO MORE aims to empower bystanders of domestic violence and sexual assault in every community to break their silence around these issues and get involved.

WAYS TO TAKE ACTION:

• KNOW MORE.Learn the signs of domestic violence and listen without judgment to victims/survivors of sexual assault. Get the facts and know the resources available.

• Say NO MORE.Break the silence. Speak out. Seek help when you see this problem or harassment of any kind in your family, your community, your workplace or school.

• Share NO MORE.Share the NO MORE symbol with everyone you know. Facebook it.Tweetit.Pinit.Instagram it. Email it. Wear it. Help to increase awareness about the extent of domestic violence and sexual assault. Visit the NO MORE Shop at nomore.org.

• Ensure NO MORE.Get involved. Volunteer in your community, or donate to a local, state or national domestic violence or sexual assault organization.

THINGS TO DO ON NO MORE DAY:

• Request the NO MORE Toolkit at nomore.org to get the symbol and start using it

• A National Press Club Luncheon Hosted by Founder and President of the Joyful Heart Foundation, Actress Mariska Hargitay in Washington D.C. (sold out)

• Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. (Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 538 at 9 am EST. Please RSVPwith your name and number of guests) – Results of the new Avon Foundation-funded NO MORE Study: Teens and Young Adults on Dating Violence and Sexual Assault, to be presented by Ashley Greene, Actress and Ambassador for Avon's mark Brand.

Monday, March 11, 2013

What’s playing on your iPod? Music, like food, can feed our brains and give us energy. But, it can also make us think of bad things that can affect us negatively. Some music could also change our health and the health of our relationships. Just like food we eat, it is important to have a balanced “song” diet that includes things for a healthy relationship. Knowing the mixture will help you make a wise choice about which songs will promote good healthy relationship.Do the love songs you listen to promote happiness, enjoyment, support, respect, and trust? Or do they cause drama, disrespect, jealousy, and fear? The songs we listen to can affect our relationships, so it’s important to cut out anything unhealthy so we can have a balanced “diet” for a sound relationship.(source: http://www.bphc.org/Newsroom/Pages/TopStoriesView.aspx?ID=132)

Friday, March 01, 2013

Monday, February 25, 2013

Helping a Friend

It is sometimes hard for a person in an abusive relationship
to leave or end the relationship. It is also hard to know what you can do to
help someone you care about who is being abused. Even if you want to do
everything you can to protect that person, the choice to leave an abusive
relationship or not can only be made by the person going through the abuse. But,
there are some ways you can help the person you know find their own way to
escape abuse and be safe.

The serious and painful effects of domestic violence could
impact the victim wanting to end their relationship. They may have been told
the abuse was their fault and they feel responsible. Even though the
relationship was abusive, they might feel sad and lonely when it’s over. And
there are many different reasons why victims stay, they may break up with and
go back to the abuser many times. Remember that it may be hard for them to talk
about the abuse.

Here are some tips that can help you safely use your cell
phone:

Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who you think needs help. Tell
them you are concerned

for their
safety and want to help.

Be supportive and listen patiently. Acknowledge their feelings about
their relationship.

Help them recognize that the abuse is not “normal” and is not their
fault. Everyone deserves a

healthy
relationship without violence.

Focus on your friend or family member, not on the abuser. Even if the
person stays with their

abusive
partner, it is important that they still feel comfortable talking to you about
it.

Be respectful of your friend or family members’ choice about the
relationship.

Give them resources in their community that can give them information
and guidance.

Help them develop a plan to end their relationship safely.

If they break up with the abuser, keep being supportive of them after
the relationship is over.

Even when you feel like there’s nothing you can do, don’t forget that by
being there and by being

Monday, February 18, 2013

Cell phones and Abuse

Cell phones are a great way to keep in touch with friends and
family. But, they can also play a role in teen dating abuse. Because phone
calls, texting and messaging allow you to be in constant communication, cell
phones can be a powerful tool for abusers to monitor and control their
girlfriends or boyfriends day and night.

If you are feeling threatened or suffocated by your partner’s
endless need to keep track of you, it may be a sign that you are in an
unhealthy and probably in a dangerous relationship. If the person you are with
says or does anything that makes you scared, makes you feel bad about yourself,
or tries to controls you, it is verbal or emotional abuse. It doesn’t matter if
the person is online or by phone, abuse is the same. You have the right to be
in a safe and healthy relationship, free from all types of abuse.

Some tips that can help you safely use your cell phone:

Remember, it is always okay to turn off you phone. (just be sure your
parent or guardian knows

how to
contact you).

Do not answer calls from unknown numbers. Your abuser can easily call
you from another line if

he/she
suspects you are avoiding them.

Do not respond to tough, harassing, abusive or not very nice texts or
messages. If you respond, it

will
encourage the person who sent the message. You won’t get the person to stop-and
your

messages
might get you in trouble and make it harder to get a restraining order or file
criminal

report.

Many phone companies can block up to ten numbers from texting or calling
you. Contact your

phone
company or check their website to see if you can do this on your phone.

Remember that pictures on cell phones can be easily shared and passed
around. Be careful what

images
you take and send out.

It may seem harsh, but if the harassment will not stop, change your
phone number.

The Effect of Dating Violence

Less attention to academics. Increased exposure to drugs and alcohol. A greater likelihood of teen pregnancy. Growing isolation. Sexual assault. Even one of these things can have a profound impact on the physical, social and emotional growth of a young person. Together, they create a perfect storm that not only affects the victim of abuse, but their friends, families, schools and surrounding communities.

And it goes beyond preventing the actual violence. Parents need to feel comfortable talking to their kids about these issues. Schools need to take steps to become better prepared to address incidents on campus. Communities need to rise up and say NO MORE.

Thankfully, there are so many examples of where we’re getting it right, where we’re really making an impact. With your help, we can all work together to ensure that everyone knows this is a big issue.

Need Help?

Do you have questions about your relationship? About a friend's? Visit loveisrespect and you'll find interactive quizzes, information on all your relationships quizzes and the ability to speak to a trained peer via chat, text or phone, 24/7. Or call 671-477-5552, the National Dating Abuse Hotline at 1-866-331-9474 or the National Domestic Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

If you're experiencing abuse, contact:

Monday, February 11, 2013

Online/Digital Relationships

Social networking sites, like Facebook, Twitter and Tumbler
allow you to stay in connected with your friends and increase your social
circle. But they can also allow others to monitor your life and use information
to hurt you. And because you provide personal information on profiles, blogs,
and message boards, these sites may possibly be very dangerous.

It is important to wise and have healthy relationships, whether
they are with people you know in person or online. When people talk about using
social networking sites safely, they usually focus on strangers or predators. But
you are just as likely to be harassed or abused online by someone you know. There
are ways to have fun online and stay safe at the same time.

Don’t do or say anything online you won’t say in person.

Only post things you are okay with people seeing and knowing. Phone
numbers and addresses

will let people contact you directly, things like
school and team names, landmarks and photos

may also make it easier for people to find out
where you live, hang out or go to school.

Remember, it’s not just about you. If you post information or photos
about your friends or family,

they can
be at risk.

Don’t respond to harassing, abusive or negative comments. It won’t make
the person stop and it

could get
you in trouble or put you in danger.

Use the privacy preferences to keep your page as private as you can.

If you are in or coming out of a dangerous relationship, don’t use any
form of technology to

contact your abuser. It can be dangerous and may
be used against you in the future.

Save or keep a record of all harassing or abusive messages, posts, and
comments in case you

decide to
tell the police or get a protective order.

Never give your passwords to anyone other than your parent or guardian.
It’s a good idea to

choose
passwords that aren’t easy to guess, do not use the same password for all your accounts,

and to
change passwords regularly.

It may seem crazy, but if the abuse and harassment will not stop,
changing your username and

email
address may be your best choice.

Always report inappropriate behavior to the site administrators.

Trust your instincts! If you think something is wrong or are feeling
threatened, tell someone who

Studies investigating the effectiveness of programs to prevent dating violence are beginning to show positive results. Most programs focus on changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors linked with dating violence and also address the skills needed to build healthy relationships. In one rigorous National Institute of Justice-funded study, for example, school-level interventions reduced dating violence by up to 50 percent in 30 New York City public middle schools (Prevention and Intervention of Teen Dating Violence, National Institute of Justice).

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) defines dating violence as follows: violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:

The length of the relationship.

The type of relationship.

The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

From 2004 through 2009, Congress designated the first full week in February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. Beginning in 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice worked with the Senate to designate the entire month of February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

To help bring greater awareness to the dangers of teen dating violence, NCJRS shares with you the Teen Dating Violence Special Feature, an online compilation of publications and resources on the topic.

Monday, February 04, 2013

What are the symptoms of Tuberculosis?

Most people who become infected with the bacteria that cause
tuberculosis actually do not present symptoms of the disease. However, when
symptoms are present, they include unexplained weight loss, tiredness,
fatigue,
shortness of breath, fever,
night sweats, chills, and a loss of appetite. Symptoms specific to the lungs
include coughing that lasts for 3 or more weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain,
and pain with breathing or coughing.

How is Tuberculosis diagnosed?

Tuberculosis diagnosis usually occurs after a combination of skin,
blood, and imaging tests. The most common diagnostic test is a simple skin test
called the Mantoux test. The Mantoux test is made up of a small amount of
purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin that is injected into the forearm.
After 48 to 72 hours, a doctor or nurse looks for a reaction at the injection
site. A hard, raised red bump usually indicates a positive test for TB. Blood
tests may also be used to determine if the TB is active or inactive, and
microscopic sputum analyses or cultures can find TB bacteria in the sputum. Chest
x-rays and computer tomography (CT) scans are also used to diagnose TB. If the
immune system traps the TB bacteria and creates scar tissue, this tissue and
the lymph nodes may harden like stone. This results in a rounded marble-like
scars that often appear on x-rays and CT scans. However, if these scars do not
show any evidence of calcium on an x-ray, they can be difficult to distinguish
from cancer
.

Although anyone can get infected with TB, some people are at a
higher risk, such as:

Monday, January 28, 2013

Tuberculosis 101

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is caused by a
bacterium (bac’te’ri’um) called Mycobacterium
(my’co’bac’te’ri’um) tuberculosis. TB mostly affects the lungs, but it can
also affect organs in the central nervous system, lymphatic system, and
circulatory system among others. The disease was called "consumption"
in the past because of the way it would consume from within anyone who became
infected.

When a person is infected with
TB, the bacteria in the lungs multiply and along cause Pneumonia with chest
pain, coughing up blood, and is always coughing. Also, lymph nodes near the
heart and lungs become big. As the TB tries to spread to other parts of the
body, it is often broken up by the body's immune system. The immune system
forms scar tissue (fibrosis) around the TB bacteria, and this helps fight the
infection and prevents the disease from spreading all over the body and to
other people. If the body's immune system is not to fight TB or if the bacteria
breaks through the scar tissue, the disease returns to an active state with
pneumonia and damage to kidneys, bones, and the meningitis that line the spinal
cord and brain.

TB is generally classified as being either inactive or active.
Inactive TB occurs when the bacteria are present in the body, but this state is
not active and shows no symptoms. Inactive TB is also not contagious. Active TB
is contagious and is the condition that can make you sick with symptoms.

TB is
a major cause of illness and death worldwide, especially in Africa and Asia.
Each year the disease kills almost 2 million people. The disease is also common
among people with HIV/AIDS.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

STDs and Teens:

Unfortunately, STDs have become common among teens. Because
teens are more at risk for getting some STDs, it’s important to learn what you
can do to protect yourself.

STDs are more than just an embarrassment. They are a serious
health problem. If left untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such
as infertility (the inability to have a baby) and even death (in the case of
HIV/AIDS).

One reason STDs spread is because people think they can only
be infected if they have intimate body contact. That’s wrong. A person can get
some STDs, like herpes or genital warts through skin-to- skin contact with an
infected area or sore. The viruses or bacteria can also enter the body through
tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and private parts.

STDs can also spread easily because you can’t tell whether
someone has an infection. Some people with STDs don’t even know that they have
them. These people are in danger of passing an infection on to their partners
without even realizing it.

·Get regular
check-ups with your doctor. Don't let embarrassment stop up from seeking
medical attention. Waiting to see a doctor may allow disease to grow quicker
and cause more damage.

Not all infections in the
private parts are caused by STDs. Sometimes people can get symptoms that seem very like those of STDs, even though
they've never had intimate contact. For girls, a yeast infection can easily be confused with an STD.
Guys may worry about bumps on their private part that turn out to be pimples or irritated hair
follicles. That's why it's important to see a doctor if you ever have questions about your health.

Monday, January 14, 2013

STDs 101

STD– Sexually Transmitted Disease (also known as
STIs-Sexually Transmitted Infections): Spread from person to person through intimate contact. It
can affect guys and girls of all ages and
backgrounds who are having intimate contact.

What the difference between STDs and STIs?

STDs or sexually transmitted disease, are
diseases, viruses and parasites transmitted through fluid exchange, or occurring through intimate
contact between humans. Other names for STDs include venereal disease (VD) and sexually
transmitted infections (STI).

STIs or sexually transmitted infection is
currently the preferred term as it includes a wide range of diseases, including infections transmitted
through the sharing of needles used for intravenously injected drugs. Sexually transmitted
infections can be passed from person to person without showing any signs of infection or disease.

Monday, January 07, 2013

Teen Violence

Throughout civilization, the advancement and spread of
knowledge has led to the growth of freedom.
This is just as true when it comes to dating abuse. Knowledge and education can empower people,
save lives and make a difference.

Abuse can take many forms in a relationship. Teen in abusive relationships may face unique
obstacles when they try to leave the relationship. Sometimes it can even be difficult just to
ask for help.

·Domestic violence is not a
problem just for adults. Teen experience
domestic violence in their relationships too.
In fact, domestic violence is very common in teen dating relationships.

·One in three teens experience
some kind of abuse in their romantic relationships, including verbal and
emotional abuse.

·40% of teenage girls, ages
14-17, know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by their partner.

·Nearly 80% of girls who have been
physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their
abuser.

·1 in 4 teenage girls who have
been in relationships reveal they have been pressured to perform or
engage in intercourse.

Need to know

Recognizing abuse in a relationship is
difficult, but especially for teens.
There are many types of abuse that teens often believe are not abusive
or are normal in a relationship. Even
though teen relationships may be different from adult relationships in many ways, teen do experience the
same types of physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse that adults do.

Teens
also face unique obstacles if they decide to get help. Unlike many adults, teens may not have money,
transportation, or safe places to go to.
They may have concerns about
lack of confidentiality, reports to police and child protective services.

If you, or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, please call our hotlines below.

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About Guam Coalition

GCASAFV is a non-profit organization comprised of member agencies representing public and private service providers, community individuals and other community partners and government allies. GCASAFV focuses on addressing sexual assault (SA) and family violence (FV) on Guam at a community level with one united voice.

The GCASAFV carries out its mission by providing education, outreach and training. We assist in building the capacity of community organizations and networks to meet the needs of survivors of FV and SA.Read More